Vancouver man missing in Israel has been confirmed dead
Posted October 10, 2023 11:14 am.
Last Updated October 10, 2023 3:29 pm.
A Vancouver man has been confirmed as one of the dead in the violence in the Israel-Hamas war, according to social media posts.
Ben Mizrachi, 22, was reported missing after violence broke out in southern Israel Saturday, according to his Vancouver alma mater King David High School.
We are heartbroken to learn that Ben Mizrachi of #Vancouver was found among those murdered by #Hamas terrorists.
May his memory be for a blessing & may his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/r00QwvASiq
— CIJA (@CIJAinfo) October 10, 2023
The high school shared the tragic update Tuesday, confirming that Mizrachi was shot dead by Hamas insurgents while attending a music festival.
The school describes Mizrachi, who graduated in 2018, as larger than life and full of joy.
“He was full of joy, had a smile for everyone, and was always there to help. Ben was a friend to everyone and was so proud of his service in the IDF (Israel Defence Forces),” King David wrote.
“Our community deeply mourns the passing of Ben Mizrachi. … May Ben’s memory be for a blessing,” it continued.
The high school says a funeral for Mizrachi will be held Wednesday afternoon.
‘We’re all touched by this:’ Vancouver rabbi on Mizrachi’s death
Rabbi Jonathan Infeld at the Congregation of Beth Israel Vancouver says while Mizrachi was not a member of his synagogue, he lives close to his family.
“We’re all very saddened, very upset by what’s happened. It’s a small Jewish community. We all know each other,” he told CityNews.
“Even though Ben wasn’t a member of my synagogue, even though his family are not members of our synagogue, we all know each other, and some of my members are his best friends.”
Infeld recalls seeing Mizrachi and neighbourhood kids playing in the streets growing up, saying he felt “joy coming from their house.” He says he moved from Vancouver around five years ago to join the Israeli military.
The rabbi says he saw Mizrachi’s parents on Saturday, shortly after he was first reported missing.
“I saw them the day he went missing and there’s nothing more tragic than the fear of not knowing what’s happened to your child. It’s horrible. It’s absolutely horrible,” he said.
Infeld explains he has a son of his own who lives in Israel, saying he feared for his child’s safety when he first heard of the Hamas attack. The rabbi says his son is okay, but the violence has taken an emotional toll on the local Jewish community.
“Much of the Jewish community in Vancouver has family and friends and people with whom they are extremely close in Israel, and we’re all touched by this,” he said.
Vancouver-Granville MP Taleeb Noormohamed also posted condolences on X, formerly known as Twitter, explaining Mizrachi lived in his riding.
Heartbreaking news:
— Taleeb Noormohamed ???????? (@Taleeb) October 10, 2023
A wonderful young man from my riding of #VanGran - Ben Mizrachi - was found amongst those murdered by Hamas terrorists.
My heartfelt condolences and prayers are with his family, his friends, loved ones & the community.
May his memory be a blessing.
Sephardic Adventure Camp, a Washington-state summer camp, posted on social media expressing condolences for Mizrachi’s death, saying he was “an enthusiastic and warm counselor, and overall, a shining light.”
It comes as a Montreal couple says their son was among the victims of an attack by Hamas militants on Israel over the weekend.
In a message on social media, Alain Haim Look says his son Alexandre Look was killed on Saturday in Israel while trying to save those around him.
“Like a true warrior, he left like a hero wanting to protect the people he was with,” Look wrote on Facebook.
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He describes his son as “a force of nature with unique charisma and unparalleled generosity.”
“The world will never be the same without you,” continued the father’s post.
–With files from The Canadian Press and Monika Gul
